ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
DAC approves procurement proposals worth Rs 8,722.38 crore, including 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft for IAF
To strengthen the Armed Forces by relying on indigenous capability to take forward the initiative on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ the Defence Acquisition Council  in its meeting held under the Chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh accorded approval for capital acquisitions of various platforms and equipment required by the Indian Armed Forces here today. Proposals for an approximate cost of Rs 8,722.38 crore were approved.
With Hindustan Aeronautics Limited  having successfully developed Basic Trainer Aircraft  Prototypes and certification process underway, the DAC approved procurement of 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft from HAL to address the basic training requirements of the Indian Air Force . Post Certification 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft will be initially procured from HAL and balance 36 after operationalisation of HTT-40 fleet in IAF.
To improve the fire power of Indian Navy, the DAC approved procurement of an upgraded version of Super Rapid Gun Mount  which is fitted as the main gun onboard Navy and Indian Coast Guard  warships from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited . The upgraded version of SRGM has enhanced capability to perform against fast manoeuvring targets like missiles and Fast Attack Crafts and increase the maximum engagement range.
In view of the availability of requisite capability for indigenous development of the ammunition, both in terms of ‘Manufacturing’ and ‘Technology’, the DAC approved procurement of 125 mm APFSDS  ammunition for Indian Army as a ‘Design and Development Case’. The ammunition being procured will have a 70 per cent indigenous content.
The DAC also gave approvals that are likely to speed up the procurement of AK 203 and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle upgrades.
ABB/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy/ADA
(Visitor Counter : 3460
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Corruption Charges Against Central Government Employees
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that Central Bureau of Investigation  has registered 715 cases of corruption against the Central Government Employees working in 45 Departments, during the last five years from 2017 to 2021.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, Dr Jitendra Singh said, 1281 employees belonging to various departments were booked by the CBI on bribery and corruption charges. He said, action in individual cases is taken by the concerned cadre controlling authorities  in accordance with the respective Disciplinary Rules.
Year-wise details of these cases are as under: -
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Year
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|
No. of cases registered.
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No. of Departments involved
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|
2017
|
|
210
|
|
26
|
|
2018
|
|
158
|
|
26
|
|
2019
|
|
141
|
|
17
|
|
2020
|
|
95
|
|
21
|
|
2021
|
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111
|
|
21
|
|
Total
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|
715
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|
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SNC/RR
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Ministry of Defence
Indo-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise “Kazind – 2022” to Commence at Umroi 
The 6th Edition of Indo - Kazakhstan joint training exercise “KAZIND-22” is scheduled to be conducted at Umroi  from 15 to 28 December 2022. Joint annual training exercise with the Kazakhstan Army was instituted in 2016 as Exercise Prabal Dostyk, which was later upgraded to a company level exercise and renamed as Ex Kazind in 2018.
Kazakhstan Army soldiers comprising of troops from the Regional Command, South and Indian Army soldiers from the 11 Gorkha Rifles will be participating in the exercise. Aim of the exercise is to build positive military relations, imbibe each other’s best practices and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking counter terrorist operations in semi urban / jungle scenario, under a UN peace enforcement mandate. This joint exercise will enable the two armies to train, plan and execute a series of combined tactical drills for neutralising of likely threats that may be encountered in UN peace keeping operations.
The scope of this exercise involves a Command Post Exercise  at the Battalion level and Company level Field Training Exercise  on sub-conventional operations. During the exercise, participants will engage in variety of missions ranging from joint planning, joint tactical drills, basics of special arms skills, HADR and raiding a hostile target.
“Exercise KAZIND” will enhance the level of defence cooperation between Indian Army and Kazakhstan Army which will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Ministry of Coal
Coal & Lignite Resources and Efforts To Further Enhance Production in India
As per the Inventory for Coal and Lignite as on 01.04.2021, the total assessed geological coal resource is 352125970000 tonnes.
Raw coal production of Coal India Limited during each of the last three financial years is given below:

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Year
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2018-19
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2019-20
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2020-21
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Production
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606,887,577
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602,136,509
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|
596,219,080
Details of coal imported by India during the last three financial years are as under:-
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Year
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2018-19
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|
2019-20
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|
2020-21
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|
Coal Import
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|
235,348,010
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|
248,536,480
|
|
214,994,910
Details of specific measures taken by Coal India Limited to increase the production of coal are as under:-
- Capacity addition through approval of new & expansion PR: CIL shall be adding capacity of about 289 Mty through approval of new & expansion PRs .
- Capacity addition through special dispensation in EC under clause 7 of EIA 2006: this is an ongoing process and CIL is enhancing its capacity through efficiency enhancement under the special dispensation of EIA Act.
- Capacity addition in smaller subsidiaries: Smaller subsidiaries like ECL & BCCL are enhancing its capacity through marginal schemes and OC patches.
- Capacity augmentation through deployment of MDO: CIL has already initiated process for operating 15 nos. of mines through MDO having an ultimate capacity of about 170 Mty
- Use of Mass Production Technology  in UG mines wherever feasible: CIL intends to implement the application of more and more MPT in UG mines wherever feasible.
- Improving evacuation efficiency & capacity: Through FMC 1 & 2, CIL is in the process of eliminating inefficient and polluting road transport in favour of 44 CHPs, Silos through rail transport.
- Procurement of HEMM- Order value worth Rs. 8300 Crs have been placed for procurement of HEMM in CIL in 2019-20 & 2020-21. Equipment supply has been started during 2020-21 and will be followed during the subsequent years for enhancement of production capacity.
- Enhancement in evacuation facility from the mines to destination-Evacuation facilities like doubling of Tori-Shivpur Rail line, construction of connecting coal transport roads and sidings in CCL & MCL, construction of CHP-Silos in MCL & SECL are under implementation to facilitate enhancement of capacity utilisation of the mines.
- Out sourcing mining contracts- All outsourcing mining contracts for subsequent year are identified well in advance and firm actions being initiated well in advance.
This information was given by Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
NCC cadets pay tributes to war hero
National Cadet Corps  cadets of 3 Haryana Girls Battalion organised a community event at Mirzapur village in Hisar district of Haryana on July 07, 2021. The activity involved cleaning the statue of 2nd Lt Hawa Singh, Vir Chakra, who was a war hero of the 1971 war. His statue, erected at his village Mirzapur, was adopted by 3 Haryana Girls Battalion 2020.
The event was held by NCC cadets in the presence of local villagers of the area. The event was held as a prelude to the forthcoming Kargil Diwas and it infused a great sense of patriotism amongst the villagers who hailed the cadets for organising it.
2nd Lt Hawa Singh was commissioned in 4/5 GR  in 1971. During the operations of 1971, the officer was awarded Vir Chakra  for displaying rare courage and making supreme sacrifice for the nation.
The NCC cadets routinely organise such statue cleaning events as a mark of respect for the War Heroes.
ABB/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy
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Ministry of Jal Shakti
Loss due to Floods
Floods are natural calamity that the country faces almost every year, in varying degrees of magnitude, leading to a loss of lives and property. The occurrence of floods can be attributed to various factors, including wide variations in rainfall both in time and space with frequent departures from the normal pattern, inadequate carrying capacities of rivers, river bank erosion and silting of river beds, landslides, poor natural drainage in flood prone areas, snowmelt and glacial lake out-bursts. The schemes for anti-erosion works, construction of new embankments and raising/strengthening of existing and protection of embankments are formulated and implemented by concerned States as per their priority. The Union Government supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical guidance and also promotional financial assistance for management of floods in critical areas. As informed by Irrigation and Water Resource Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh no water flows into Gomti River from bordering area of Nepal and there is no major loss reported during flood in the Gomti River.
As per Irrigation and Water Resource Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, there is no plan to undertake construction of any dam on the Gomti River.
This was stated by the The Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Rattan Lal Katatria in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
APS/MG/AS
Ministry of Finance
Government of India cancels the auction of dated security scheduled on February 11, 2022
On review of the Government of India’s cash position, it has been decided, in consultation with Reserve Bank of India, to cancel auction of all the Securities scheduled to be held on February 11, 2022 as per the calendar for issuance of Government of India Dated Securities during Second Half of the current Financial Year.
Prime Minister's Office
15th G20 Leaders' Summit
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, participated in the 15th G20 Summit convened by Saudi Arabia, on 21-22 November, 2020. The Summit, which saw participation of respective Heads of State/ Government of 19 member countries, EU, other invited countries and international organizations, was conducted in virtual format in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. PM congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its leadership for its successful Presidency of the G20 this year and for organizing the second G20 Summit in 2020 through a virtual format despite the challenges and obstacles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. The Summit under Saudi Presidency centered on the theme "Realizing Opportunities of 21st Century for All” which has assumed greater importance in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The agenda of the Summit is spread out over two days with two sessions focused on overcoming the pandemic, economic recovery and restoring jobs, and building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future. There are also side events planned on the two days on pandemic preparedness and on safeguarding the planet.
4. PM termed the COVID-19 pandemic as an important turning point in history of humanity and the biggest challenge the world is facing since the World War II. He called for decisive action by G20, not limited to economic recovery, jobs and trade, but to focus on preserving Planet Earth noting that all of us are trustees of humanity’s future.
5. PM called for a new Global Index for the Post-Corona World that comprises four key elements – creation of a vast Talent Pool; ensuring that Technology reaches all segments of the society; Transparency in systems of governance; and dealing with Mother Earth with a spirit of Trusteeship. Based on this, the G20 can lay the foundation of a new world.
6. PM underscored that in the past few decades, while there has been an emphasis on Capital and Finance, the time has come to focus on Multi-Skilling and Re-skilling to create a vast Human Talent Pool. This would not only enhance dignity of citizens but would make our citizens more resilient to face crises. He also said that any assessment of new technology should be based on its impact on Ease of Living and Quality of Life.
7. He called for greater Transparency in governance systems which will inspire our citizens to deal with shared challenges and enhance their confidence. He also said that dealing with environment and nature as trustees rather than owners will inspire us towards a Holistic and Healthy Life Style, a principle whose benchmark could be a Per Capita Carbon Footprint.
8. Noting that ‘Work from Anywhere’ is a new normal in the post-COVID world, PM also suggested creation of a G20 Virtual Secretariat as a follow up and documentation repository.
9. The 15th G20 Leaders’ Summit would continue on 22 November 2020 culminating in the adoption of the Leaders’ Declaration and with Saudi Arabia passing on the Presidency to Italy.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
National Health Authority  Invites Comments on the Consultation Paper on “Provider Payments and Price Setting under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana”
The National Health Authority  released a consultation paper on the Provider Payments and Price Setting under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana .
The consultation paper provides global overview of the different provider payment systems which are used in various insurance schemes. The paper also presents a detailed description of how the providers are reimbursed. Secondly, the paper discusses the use of cost evidence for price-setting under PMJAY. It presents an analysis of the heterogeneity in cost of providing healthcare according to various hospital characteristics and discusses a framework for determining differential case-based payments to hospitals. Thirdly, the paper describes the proposed simulation pilot of diagnosis-related group  which the NHA aims to implement in 5 States to determine cost weights as per patient characteristics based on level of severity and comorbidity. Fourth, the paper describes a framework for use of Health Technology Assessment  for decisions on inclusion of new interventions in health benefits package and its pricing. Finally, the paper describes an approach to continually update the prices on an annual basis for inflation.
Through this consultation paper, NHA seeks feedback of stakeholders on the different issues related to provider payment methods, approach towards pricing, the methodology for determining price weights, proposed approach for assessing cost weights to determine DRG based provider payments, the proposed HTA-informed value-based pricing system, and the calculation of annual price revisions for inflation adjustment.
Giving his views on the consultation paper, Dr. R. S. Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority, remarked, “We are evolving a standardized methodology of determining prices for different procedures under the health benefit package. This document will help develop a standardized and transparent pricing policy which will ensure efficiency, acceptability, quality, and sustainability within the Indian health care ecosystem for PMJAY. Therefore, I urge all stakeholders to go through this paper and provide us with their valuable feedback.”
NHA will also organise a public webinar on the price consultation paper to provide a forum for live discussion with NHA leadership. Links will be shared on the PMJAY website.
Full text of the consultation paper is available for download on PMJAY’s website under Publications section . Comments and feedback can be emailed to hpqa.pricing@nha.gov.in. Further consultation papers will be released on related issues in the coming months.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasizes the importance of Coordination, cooperation and communication for successful execution of projects.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has emphasized the importance of Coordination, cooperation and communication for successful execution of projects.
Addressing the session on PM Gati shakti on the occasion of Civil services day he said PM Gati Shakti provides for Integrated planning which will reduce working in Silos and boost Ease of Doing Business .The Minister said officers should work with positive attitude with no bias in decision making. He said officers should accept new technology and promote innovations.
For more details https://youtu.be/lYKcIjEvn0I
MJPS
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Special Service and Features
India’s Wetlands Wonder Multiply
Ramsar Sites: Up from 26 in 2014 to 75 in 2023
India has the largest network of Ramsar Sites in Asia. Wetlands are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availabilityand overall human well-being. As part of dedicated efforts to preserve ecosystems, India now has 75 Wetlands of International Importance designated as Ramsar sites covering an area of 1.33 million ha across the country.
From 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar Sites. From 2014 to 2023, the country added 49 new wetlands to the list of Ramsar Sites. During 2022 itself, a total of 28 sites were declared as Ramsar Sites.
Government of India is taking multiple steps for the conservation and management of wetlands across the country to conserve, manage and maintain the ecological character of the wetlands. With such steps,India is making significant progress in promoting sustainable development by integrating its development goals with ambitious climate action goals.
Further Reading:
· 75 Ramsar Sites in India
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare proposes to United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization to declare an upcoming year as “International Year of Millets”
Government has been actively promoting millets and has raised its MSP by more than 50% of production cost: Shri Radha Mohan Singh
The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh has written to the Director General, United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization  and proposed the declaration of an upcoming year as “International Year of Millets”.
In a letter to Mr. Jose Graziano da Silva, Director-General, United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization, Shri Singh said that to garner wider global attention and action, India has mooted a proposal for declaration of an upcoming year as International Year of Millets.
The Union Agriculture Minister stated that India is celebrating 2018 as the National Year of Millets and is promoting cultivation by amending cropping pattern of areas which are especially susceptible to climate change. He further added that government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been actively promoting millets. Millets are highly nutritious and useful in various lifestyle diseases, enhancing resilience and risk management in face of climate change especially for small and marginal farmers.
Shri Singh further added that the government recently increased the MSP of millets by more than 50 per cent of cost of production which is an important component of efforts to achieve the national commitment of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
This letter follows his earlier communication to the Secretary General of the UN in November 2017 in this regard. The Minister has requested the inclusion of this proposal in the agenda of the 26th session of the Committee on Agriculture  meeting, scheduled during October 1-5, 2018 in Rome.
Shri Singh said that adoption of this proposal by FAO with the support of its Member Nations will enable it to be moved to the UNGA for declaration of an upcoming year as International Year of Millets. He said that the matter has received support of the member countries when placed in the Bureau meeting of the committee on agriculture held on July 5, 2018.
“It is highly desirable that global efforts are stepped up to bring these nutri-cereals back to the food basket of a wide range of consumers, rural and urban as well as rich and poor, for boosting their production as well,” he added.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Online celebration of ‘Himalaya Diwas’ by Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology
Discusses Landslide disaster risk reduction, Himalayan seismicity-- risk awareness & mitigation, and journey of black carbon towards Himalayan cryosphere’
Scientists specialising in different aspects of the Himalayas discussed a range of areas like landslide disaster risk reduction, Himalayan seismicity, risk awareness, and mitigation, and journey of black carbon towards Himalayan cryosphere’ on the occasion of Himalaya Diwas.
The discussions were part of an online celebration of ‘Himalaya Diwas’ by Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology , an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, last week.
Dr. Vikram Gupta, scientist, WIHG, spoke about some fundamental concepts of ‘Landslide Disaster Risk Reduction  Strategy and emphasised the importance of risk reduction caused by the landslide. He explained how risk reduction measures are a good investment and said that for risk management, it is always better to have a good understanding of landslide processes.
While delivering a lecture on ‘Himalayan Seismicity, Risk Awareness, and Mitigation’, Dr. Ajay Paul, a scientist from the institute, explained how the Himalayan region is prone to earthquake activity. He described how an earthquake could be hazardous to the various lifeline of the people and explained what one should do before an earthquake, during an earthquake, and after an earthquake, which can mitigate the hazardous impacts of an earthquake.
Elucidating the ‘Journey of Black Carbon towards Himalayan Cryosphere,’ Dr. Chhavi P. Pandey, from the institute, said that black carbon aerosol plays a unique and important role in the Himalayan environment. She explained how transportation of Black carbon and other pollutant takes place towards the Himalaya cryosphere.
Dr. Sameer Tiwari, also from the institute, highlighted the ‘Use of Geothermal Resources for heat utilization. He described that geothermal energy is relatively clean and renewable and hence becoming a preferred choice for an alternative energy resource for the future. He said that WIHG has been monitoring around 40 active geothermal springs from the Garhwal and Kumaun Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand. Dr. Rajesh Sharma, senior scientist at WIHG, coordinated this event.